Cotton Test labs in 6 States for Kasturi Cotton

• In an effort to strengthen the Indian cotton brand internationally, the central government plans to open specialized testing facilities for premium Kasturi cotton in 6 states.
• The government aims to increase the quality and global acceptance of Indian textiles by certifying Kasturi cotton through a limited number of NABL-accredited labs.
• Dedicated testing labs for Kasturi cotton will be established in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
• These laboratories will work in tandem with the Bureau of Indian requirements (BIS) testing facilities to ensure compliance with national quality requirements.
•  The goal of setting up these labs is to ensure the top quality of Kasturi cotton, with strict

National Workshop on Environment and Forest Clearance by NHAI

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) held a 1day workshop in New Delhi on environmental and forest clearance, including eco-friendly mitigation strategies on April 15, 2024.
• The workshop's goal is to build a solid foundation for growing the country's national highway system using environmentally friendly approaches.
•  It discussed on project clearance and mitigation techniques for developing environmentally friendly roadway infrastructure across the country.
• The NHAI promotes sustainable infrastructure through projects like Wildlife Corridors, Amrit Sarovar, Plantation Drives, and Green National Highways built using waste materials.

Ambulances and School Buses Donated to Nepal by India

•  India on April 15, 2024 donated ambulances and school buses to Nepal, as well as assistance for earthquake-damaged districts.
• Of the 101 vehicles donated, 2 ambulances were especially designated for the earthquake-affected districts of Jajarkot and West Rukum.
• This focused aid reflects India's determination to help populations in need, especially under difficult conditions.
•  Its goal is to promote growth and strengthen bilateral ties by increasing access to key services.

India-France Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism

• The 16th meeting of the India-France Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism took place in New Delhi on April 15, 2024.
•  The 2 sides discussed counterterrorism concerns such as terrorists' use of new and emerging technology, the misuse of the internet for terrorist goals, radicalization, and terrorist finance. 
• The conversations also included anti-India separatist operations, as well as counterterrorism   finance, organized crime, and the narco-terror network.
•  This covers state-sponsored cross-border terrorism in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as terrorist activity in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
• The Indian side offered its perspectives on 'No Money for Terror' (NMFT) and the Financial Action Task Force, resulting in an exchange of respective stances between the 2 parties.

DUSTLIK exercise (Defence)

• The Indian Army contingent left for the 5th iteration of the joint military exercise DUSTLIK, which is held in India and Uzbekistan, on April 15, 2024.
• The exercise will take place from April 15 to 28, 2024 at Termez, Uzbekistan. The Indian Armed Forces contingent consists of 60 troops, while Uzbekistan will send 100.
• The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation and improve combined capabilities for conducting joint operations in both mountainous and semi-urban areas.
•  During the DUSTLIK exercise, the emphasis will concentrate on high levels of physical conditioning, joint planning, joint tactical maneuvers, and fundamental special arms skills.
• The exercise will allow the two parties to share their best practices and improve interoperability.

New Species of ‘Ghostly ants’ Named after Voldemort

• The University of Western Australia's research team dubbed a new species of underground ant, "Leptanilla Voldemort," after it was found on April 15, 2024.
•  Researchers observed that both the terrifying villain Voldemort from Harry Potter and this ant have a 'ghostly' appearance and live in the dark.
• According to the experts, this ant has twisted legs.
• The species was discovered in April in Western Australia's Pilbara desert region.

ISRO Tests Light Weight Carbon-Carbon Composite Nozzle for Rocket Engines

• With the creation of a lightweight Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle for rocket engines, ISRO made significant advancements in rocket engine technology on April 15, 2024.
• This discovery by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre aims to improve critical rocket engine parameters like as thrust levels, specific impulse, and thrust-to-weight ratios, hence increasing launch vehicle payload capacity.
•  VSSC, continuing its pioneering work in space exploration, has used innovative materials like as Carbon-Carbon (C-C) Composites to build a nozzle design with extraordinary qualities.
• Carbonization of green composites, Chemical Vapor Infiltration, and High-Temperature Treatment were used to create a nozzle with low density, high specific strength, and outstanding stiffness, which can keep mechanical qualities even at high temperatures.

Rashmi Kumari

• Rashmi Kumari won her 12th National Carrom Championship on April 15, 2024, cementing her place in Indian carrom history.
• The 3-time World Champion defeated K Nagajothi in the women's final with scores of 25-8, 14-20, and 25-20.
• The 3-time World Champion defeated K Nagajothi in the women's final with scores of 25-8, 14-20, and 25-20.
• Rashmi demonstrated her supremacy, dominating to a 25-8 triumph. However, Nagajothi was undeterred, rallying in the second game to tie the score at 20-14.

Narendra Modi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to become the first Indian prime minister to appear on the cover of Newsweek since Indira Gandhi.
• PM Modi emphasized India's commitment to economic development, emphasizing major programs including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), business tax cuts, and labor-law reforms.
• He stressed India's appeal as a global manufacturing hub, supported by world-class infrastructure and talented labor.
• PM Modi emphasized the country's robust electoral process, with over 970 million eligible voters expected to vote in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Vandita Kaul

• Vandita Kaul, a seasoned official with substantial financial sector experience, is named Secretary of Posts on April 15, 2024.
•  Vandita Kaul, an Indian Postal Service officer from 1989, is currently a Member of the Postal Services Board (Banking & Direct Benefit Transfer). She will succeed Vineet Pandey.
•  Vandita Kaul previously worked as an Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Finance's Department of Financial Services.
• Vandita Kaul has been a government nominee on boards of Bank of India, New India Assurance, and regulatory agencies.

Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabha

• The Emir of Kuwait appointed Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as the country's new prime minister on April 15, 2024.
• This move follows the resignation of previous Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on the April 7, 2024, shortly after being appointed to form a cabinet.
• Sheikh Mohammad resigned from his government the day before the election of a new parliament on the April 4, 2024.
•  Sheikh Ahmad's appointment followed the election of a new parliament, the fourth since December 2020.
• The current prime minister previously served as Minister of Finance and Communications from 1999 to 2005, as well as Ministers of Health, Oil, and Information from 2006 to 2011.

Dalip Singh Majithia

• Squadron Leader Dalip Singh Majithia, the oldest living Indian Air Force pilot, at the age of 103, passed away on his farm in Uttarakhand on April 15, 2024.
• Dalip Singh Majithia's piloting career began at the Karachi Flying Club, where he learnt the fundamentals of flying a Gypsy Moth aircraft.
• In August 1940, he enrolled in the fourth pilot's course at the Initial Training School (ITA) in Walton, Lahore.
• He received the best pilot prize and was assigned to the No. 1 Flying Training School in Ambala to further his advanced flying training.

South Asian Person of the Year

• Avantika Vandanapu, an Indian-American actress, received the coveted "South Asian Person of the Year" award from Harvard University on April 15, 2024.
• This award celebrates Avantika Vandanapu's excellent contributions to the arts as well as her efforts to increase South Asian representation in global media. 
• In 2014, she captivated spectators by finishing second in the "Dance India Dance L'il Masters (North America Edition)" competition, displaying her excellent dance abilities.

Madhya Pradesh leads the Centre’s Green Credit Programme Efforts

• With over 500 land parcels sanctioned for tree planting across 10 states in the last 2 months, Madhya Pradesh is leading the Centre's Green Credit Programme (GCP) as of April 15, 2024.
• These states have identified 10000 hectares of land for the scheme.
• The greatest recorded amount of permitted degraded forest land for plantation/greening exercises is 954 hectares in MP.
•  Several public-sector undertakings and companies have been registered to conduct plantings on degraded forest area and earn green credits.
• The initiative prioritizes ecosystem services and promotes low-carbon environmental actions that benefit local soil, water, and ecosystems. \
• The Green Credit Programme (GCP) is a market-based project that encourages voluntary environmental activities from individuals, businesses, and communities.